McFoy Eager to Fill Void

USC receiver Chris McFoy was enjoying a day at the Los Angeles County Fair earlier this month when his mother phoned with surprising news.

“Ryan got a touchdown!” his mother exclaimed.

“What?” McFoy said.

“Ryan got a touchdown,” his mother repeated.

McFoy shook his head and smiled, albeit painfully, at the memory.

After toiling without a touchdown for more than four seasons, the fifth-year senior could hardly believe that his younger brother, a freshman safety at Arizona State, had scored on a 30-yard interception return against Nevada in his second college game.

“He was just in the right place at the right time,” McFoy said, laughing.

McFoy might have his best chance of reaching the end zone Saturday when the third-ranked Trojans play Washington State in a Pacific 10 Conference game at Pullman, Wash.

All-American split end Dwayne Jarrett, who has not practiced this week because of a shoulder sprain, will not make the trip, Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.

“Unless something miraculous happens between now and [today], he’s not going,” Carroll said.

Jarrett expects to stay home.

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to go because I can’t play,” Jarrett said. “Unfortunately, I won’t be out with my team. I’m going to have to watch on TV.”

Sophomore Patrick Turner will start in Jarrett’s place, but McFoy, who has caught eight passes for 87 yards, is expected to play a large role.

McFoy, 23, is looking forward to an opportunity he almost gave up.

Last January, in the weeks after the Trojans’ loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl, McFoy decided he was through with football.

Though he can play with finesse, McFoy is known for a physical style. It served him well as a blocker but left him with myriad sprains, strains and bruises.

“I was thinking, ‘My body’s been through a lot,’ ” he said. “I didn’t think a fifth year would help.”

McFoy avoided conditioning workouts and contemplated how he would utilize his economics degree. Ultimately, he decided to return.

“I don’t think I was ready for the real world,” he said.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McFoy, however, is more than ready to score a touchdown.

He caught two passes as a redshirt freshman in 2003, a career-best 21 in 2004 and had 17 last season. Matt Leinart threw 71 touchdown passes, John David Booty three and Michael McDonald one during that span.

None went to McFoy, who would not mind scoring for the first time on Saturday.

“I’m just going to play hard every down,” he said. “If one happens, one happens.”

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With Jarrett sidelined throughout the week, freshman Vidal Hazelton got more work.

Hazelton, from New York, has been battling homesickness, though not to the degree Jarrett suffered his first season after arriving from New Jersey. “It’s a nice place here, it’s just me being far away from home,” Hazelton said.

Hazelton saw a familiar face when his mother attended the Nebraska game. Asked by a reporter if he wanted to return home with her, he laughed and said, “Yeah. But she was like, ‘No, you’ve got to stick it out.’ ”

Hazelton relies on Jarrett when he longs for home. “I talk to him all the time whenever I start feeling homesick,” Hazelton said. “And he helps me get through it.”

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Cornerback Kevin Thomas practiced and will play on Saturday.... Linebacker Brian Cushing (ankle) did not practice, but Carroll said he would start against Washington State.... The Trojans practiced on the artificial turf at Cromwell Field for the second time this week, in preparation for the surface they will play on at Martin Stadium.... Carroll said running back Chauncey Washington had his best week of practice this season. Washington attended a funeral for a cousin on Thursday but participated in meetings and practice.

gary.klein@latimes.com